How to Stop Lawlessness In Seven Easy Steps

In part because so many people are wondering what the heck the French should do to stop the rioting, I'm putting together a list of things that any government should do when facing lawlessness that happens to include rioting.

This is useful in situations where local governments are ineffectual or corrupt and regardless of whether the lawlessness is due to natural disasters (hurricanes, flooding, blizzards), or manmade situations.

1) Act decisively within the first 24 hours. If you're a local government and you know that you don't have the manpower to deal decisively, get the state and federal governments involved immediately. It takes time to get the national governments involved, so the quicker you act, the sooner the national government can respond.

2) Back words up with deeds. If you say that you're not going to tolerate rioting, make sure the world sees that you're not tolerating the violence. Make sure that the media is in a position to see you arresting rioters. Nothing will make the situation worse than saying that you're taking decisive action and the reporting indicates otherwise. Thugs, rioters, and even terrorists will take note of this and plan/respond accordingly.

3) Use a strong response. Curfews. They work. Use them. It's a nonviolent way to get people off the streets and to single out those who are perpetrating the violence.

4) Adopt zero-tolerance for offenders. The rioters are engaged in arson, mayhem, and assaulting law enforcement. Do not let them off the hook just because you think that doing so will relax tensions. All it will do is perpetuate the belief that rioting is an acceptable method of dealing with the government. Most people believe in law and order, even those that don't believe in the current way government behaves. Stress that nonviolent demonstrations are perfectly acceptable, but the moment things turn violent, the response will be swift.

5) If you find yourself in a position where rioting is out of control, take swift action at federal/national level. France has not done so, and the violence has spread to more than 300 villages and cities around the country and is outstripping the speed in which the government can respond effectively. This means that the government response must be even more visible and overwhelming.

6) Containment. At some point, a government must be able to contain the problem. It's a point at which rioting cannot go beyond. If it means bringing in even more law enforcement to keep the peace, it must be done.

7) De-escalation. Once the crisis has been contained, you can then discuss 'root causes' or 'economic programs' or anything else that you think has brought about the rioting in the first place.